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Avalanche aim to get back on track vs. Hurricanes

Jan 12, 2008 - 3:29 PM Colorado (22-18-3) at Carolina (22-20-4) 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Colorado Avalanche have been slumping, but a trip East should brighten their spirits.

Paul Stastny and the Avalanche aim to get back on track against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.

Colorado has lost six of its last seven games and has scored two goals or less in each game during that span.

The Avalanche, who have won 11 of the last 14 meetings between the clubs, will need Stastny to start producing if they are going to snap out of their funk.

Part of the reason is Colorado's lone All-Star, Stastny, has gone a career-worst 10 straight games without a goal.

More pressure is being placed on Stastny and leading scorer Marek Svatos since the Avalanche will be without captain Joe Sakic (hernia) and left wing Ryan Smyth (ankle) for the next two months.

"We're having a hard time generating offense," Colorado coach Joel Quenneville said.

The Hurricanes are coming off a 4-1 loss to New Jersey on Thursday, their fifth in the last seven games.

Keith Aucoin scored his first career goal for Carolina, which has lost three straight here.